While We’re Waiting… Defense the word with Cavaliers
October 9, 20132013 Indians in Review: Infielders and Catchers
October 9, 2013After a franchise-record 179 punt return yards last Thursday, Browns receiver Travis Benjamin was honored today with the title of the AFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week.
Benjamin is the second Browns player to earn this honor this season. Punter Spencer Lanning also received the award after Cleveland’s Week 3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
The previous franchise record was 166, set by Eric Metcalf back in 1993. Benjamin’s performance was just the seventh NFL game all-time with at least 175 punt return yards.
After setting up a score with a 57-yard return in the first quarter, the second-year speedster out of Miami recorded his second-ever punt return for a touchdown on a spectacular 79-yard dash in the second quarter. He finished with seven total returns in the game, clearly affecting Buffalo’s every move.
Per the Browns, Benjamin now ranks second in the NFL with both an average of 15.1 yards per return and 256 total punt return yards. He is the NFL’s only player with two 50+ yard returns in a single game this year.
Cleveland returns home on Sunday to face the Detroit Lions in Week 6.
[Related: Fun with Numbers: Browns stats as they improve to 3-2]
4 Comments
Early on, it looked like he needed a GPS to find the end zone, but I’m so glad he’s come around. Nice job Travis!
I hope he keeps this up, because it would really help out an offense that seems to have taken a step backwards with Weeden. It’s not just the TDs…his speed will force punters to put the ball out of bounds, helping field position overall. And with the way the defense is playing, good things could happen.
I like this team more and more everyday.
his performance was up there with the Metcalf game (vs. Pitt obviously) and the Cribbs game vs. KC. he completely changed the game with his returning AND the threat of his returning. loved it.
I don’t want to take anything away from Travis or the insane speed he possesses, but I’m even happier for the entire Browns PR special teams unit. How many times have we seen great returns ruined by Holding calls, or Illegal Block in the Back calls? But it was all pretty clean last Thursday night. It was an outstanding effort by the special teams this past week.
You should ask the Rams this question….they get a penalty every special teams play.